New book by Nicole Wolverton is a great read for those who love thrillers.

It’s always annoying when someone you know not only finishes a book, they publish it — or, as in this case, they publish it and it’s a damned good read.

That’s what happened with “Trajectory of Dreams,” by Philadelphia writer Nicole Wolverton.

It’s always iffy when that someone you know asks you to review their book. After all, what if you hate it? What if it’s mediocre? What do you say? Fortunately for me, I loved the book. Whew!

“Dreams” is a thriller with one of the most compelling characters I’ve read in a while. (The book also reminded me of “Red Dragon,” another one of those books you hate to put down.)

Lela White is a Houston sleep lab tech, and she’s, well, plain barking mad. That’s clear from the beginning. She’s fixated on the idea that she can prevent any space shuttle accidents by monitoring how the astronauts sleep. So naturally, she breaks into their houses and watches them! (I mean, who wouldn’t, right?)

It’s a tribute to Wolverton’s writing that you really don’t want Lela to be as crazy as she is. When she agrees to date Zory Korchagin, a persistant Russian cosmonaut, you’re hoping he saves her from herself. But you’re going to have to read the book (which will be released in March) to find out.